Carissa Chesanek - Page 2

If you’re looking for exceptional shows in anything but ordinary settings, both the Théâtre XIV and Cocktail Magique in Bushwick will surely do the trick and then some.

Located on the lobby level of the always popping Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg hotel you’ll find Mesiba, a Tel Aviv-inspired restaurant with a name that translates to “party” in Hebrew. The concept comes from the lifestyle consulting and management agency, Bar Lab Hospitality, and its founding partner Elad Zvi's nostalgia for the various flavors Israeli food has to offer.

Inside the Lower East Side's super sleek Public Hotel, you’ll find POPULAR, a tree-lined Peruvian restaurant that is a must-try. Enter through the hotel's main entrance and walk back past the iconic glowing elevators. Here is where you’ll find a tropical oasis with lush greenery and tan accents that have you believing you’re anywhere but in New York City. 

Ode to the Wasp Woman opens November 9, 2023, and runs until January 31, 2024, at the Actors Temple Theater in New York City. We caught up with playwright and director Rider McDowell, stage manager Matthew Palmer, and actors David Wenzel, Jonathan Hartman, Douglas Davis, and Payton Georgiana to discuss what we can expect, the inspiration, and what's next for the two.  

If you’ve been to Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Todd English's Tuscany restaurant. It is hard to miss with its massive rock exterior and cascading waterfall. It’s an impressive space, not only in how it looks but what it offers: upscale authentic Italian fare with impeccable service to match. 

Last night marked the official start of BRIC JazzFest in Brooklyn. The weekend-long event is now in its 9th year and runs from October 19-21 showcasing a wide variety of musicians on two separate stages. 

Part of The Whaler’s Inn in Mystic, Connecticut, The Shipwright’s Daughter aims to please locals and visitors alike with its charming nautical vibe and incredible “farm and sea to fork” fare. The venue has won numerous awards, such as Restaurant of the Year with Connecticut Restaurant Associations, and is the 2023 James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader, all for good reason. 

Over the weekend, Lauryn Hill took the stage at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The performance by the legendary rapper and singer celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Grammy-winning album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

New York is not shy of pizza places by any means. However, many tend to serve up the classic cheese or pepperoni while Public Display of Affection (PDA) is all about its veggies. Chef/owner Robert Guimond -(Speedy Romeo and Jean Georges) teamed up with his sister Emi Guimond to open this Brooklyn eatery back in 2020 to give Brooklyn patrons fresh pizza offerings that are not only geared toward those who love their veggies but who are vegan, too.

If you like hearty, home-cooked meals that are consistently good (who doesn't?), then Pappardella is your jam. Located on the Upper West Side close to the Museum of Natural History, this Italian hotspot has been going strong for 40 years, serving its local clientele and tourists, too. 

Siting inside Flatiron’s The New York EDITION hotel, the Lobby Bar is pure elegance. Matching the overall stylish and historic feel of the building itself, which dates back to 1909 with its iconic clocktower, this upscale watering hole is one worth checking out.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle, you’ll find PHD Terrace sitting high atop Dream Midtown. It’s a tourist destination for sure, due to its prime location and overlooking Times Square, but one a local can also get behind. 

In between the hustle and bustle of Midtown and the large crowds spilling out of Penn Station, you’ll find Alligator Pear. The charming new restaurant is tucked away from the chaos of the area and offers a relaxing but hip getaway that'll take you far away from the city.

As a comedienne, matchmaker, writer, and fitness instructor, Olivia Atwood is pretty busy. Her latest project, Liv, LIVE, is Atwood's Off-Broadway debut and set to run at the SoHo Playhouse in July. We sat down with Atwood to discuss her unique background, her love for comedy, and her upcoming show we can't wait to check out. 

If you’ve been to odo in Flatiron, you know the place is legit. The 14-seat chef’s counter serving up kaiseki cuisine created by chef Hiroki Odo is not a Michelin-starred restaurant for nothing. Now there is a new bar behind the chef’s counter that is definitely worth checking out. Meet odo lounge, your new go-to for everything Japanese whisky.

Nestled along bustling Eighth Street in Greenwich Village, you’ll find Shmoné, a brand-new concept from Israeli chef Eyal Shani. The chef who brought some of the best contemporary Israeli food to New York City with restaurants that include HaSalon, Miznon, North and Naked Tomato, Shmoné (pronounced “shmo-neh” which translates to ‘eight’ in Hebrew) is a welcomed newcomer to the area, as it’s already been nominated for a Michelin in the New York Guide for good reason. 

Located on the corner of W 105th Street and Broadway, you'll find The Ellington, a charming neighborhood joint serving contemporary American fare. Bustling with locals, the vibe is welcoming while the atmosphere is pleasing with warm lighting and brown tones providing a down-to-earth tavern feel.

Benjamin Prelvukaj and Benjamin Sinanaj both came to New York from Europe and began working as waiters at Brooklyn’s Peter Luger Steakhouse. It was there that they met and learned the ins and outs of running a successful steakhouse, driving them to join forces and eventually open their own. We sat down with Prelvukaj and Sinanaj to chat about their restaurants, steak, and how they got to where they are today.

Located at the Fox Tower in Foxwoods Resort Casino, you'll find the fun and enticing Red Lantern. Enter through the large red doors as you make your way inside a darkly lit space in black leather and dark wood with 66 red lanterns hanging above.

Over the weekend, Jamaican rapper and singer Sean Paul wowed the audience at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Premier Theater in Mashantucket, CT.